The Doctrine of the Saints' Perseverance

The First is,¹ that the Doctrine of the Saints Apostasy, maimeth or dismembereth the Body of Christ, and brings in, an uncouth and unseemly interchange of members between Christ and the Soul; which howsoever slighted by M. Goodwin, is a plea not of the least importance, in the case in hand. The body of Christ intended, is that mystical and spiritual, not that Political and visible; His body in respect of the real union of every member of it, unto him as the head, described by the Apostle in its Relation unto him. Ephes. 4. 15, 16. It grows up unto him, in all things, which is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body fitly joined together, and compacted, by that which every joint supplieth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in Love: So also Collos. 2. 19. the Body we intend, whereof Christ is the Head, is that, not only in a Political sense, as the supreme governor of it, but in a Spiritual, according to the Analogy of an Head Natural, from whence life, & all influence of it unto the Members do flow; Of this body, some are in their Spirits already consummated, and made perfect in Heaven, some are as yet pursuing their Warfare in all parts of the World, pressing forward to the mark of the high-calling set before them: Now that any member of his Body, bone of the bone, flesh of the flesh of Christ, given him to make up his fullness, and mystical perfection, jointed unto him, washed in his blood, and loved by him, according to the Love and care of a head to its members, should be plucked off, to be cast into the sire, and after it hath so closely and vitally been admitted into the participation of his fullness and increase, being united to him, become a child of the Devil, an Enemy to him, and his sometimes fellow members, so as to hate his head, and to be hated of his head (when yet no man ever yet hated his own flesh) this we suppose no way to answer that inexpressibly intense Love, which the Lord Jesus bears towards his members, and to be exceedingly derogatory to his honour and Glory, in reference with his dealing to Satan, the great enemy of his Kingdom. But to this M. Goodwin Answers.

The First is,¹ that the Doctrine of the Saints Apostacy, maimeth or dismembreth the Body of Christ, and brings in, an uncouth and unseemely interchange of members between Christ and the Soule; which howsoever slighted by M. Goodwin, is a plea not of the least importance, in the case in hand. The body of Christ intended, is that mysticall and spirituall, not that Politicall and visible; His body in respect of the reall union of every member of it, unto him as the head, described by the Apostle in its Relation unto him.